BOSTON (SHNS) - Talks are underway within state government about establishing a third long-term care home for veterans, Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago said Tuesday. At a Joint Ways and Means Committee hearing in Worcester, the secretary described the next budget cycle as being about the "organizational maturation" of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. The office became a Cabinet-level office two years ago after governance and operational shortcomings that proved fatal during the pandemic, particularly at the state-run veterans' homes in Holyoke and Chelsea. He described how things are going at the new Chelsea facility that opened in 2023 and the work underway to prepare for the under-construction new Holyoke home. Santiago also raised the subject of a $200 million bond authorization that the Legislature, where he served at the time, included in a 2021 law to address long-term care for veterans in other parts of the state. "There was a $200 million bond bill put forward to look into a third home, right, to increase that geographic equity. That's something that we're in a conversation with [the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance], to look where across the commonwealth we could potentially put a third home and what that would entail," the secretary said. The authorization to borrow up to $200 million in the 2021 law is specifically for "increasing geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for the commonwealth’s veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts located in the city of Chelsea or the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, including the establishment of regional or satellite veterans’ homes." The potential for a third state-run veterans' home came up during a back-and-forth between Santiago and Rep. Russell Holmes of Boston, who asked the secretary about the diversity of the resident veterans served at the state-run facilities. "It always feels like the Chelsea and the Holyoke homes feel like they're local, they're for local people. That's just historically how they've felt; people in the west thought it was for them in the west, people in the east thought Chelsea was for the east. And as you grow from 117 beds, it sounds like, to 234 in Holyoke. And then as you now opened up Chelsea, do you have an answer on diversity of the residents who's living there?" Holmes asked. The representative said he was particularly interested in knowing how the state plans to make the additional beds that will come online in Holyoke available and what outreach will be done to make sure all veterans know their options. "My understanding is, historically, it's kind of been, you know, who you knew helped you get in. I hope we're eliminating all of that as a part of this new process," Holmes said. Santiago said he "completely agree[s]" with Holmes about the way the Chelsea and Holyoke homes have been viewed. He said the "vast majority of residents there are white male" and told Holmes that while the "current mechanism is a 'first come, first served' " method of accepting new veterans to the homes, it's something he wants to look at it as part of a 2030 strategic plan. "Part of that is looking into how we make sure veterans who are underserved, irrespective of their race, maybe, or their gender, are cared to. We have 25,000 women veterans across the commonwealth. Traditionally, they have not gotten the services, respect, that they have fought for and that they have earned," he said. "And so we've changed our management, we've changed our programs and policies to better address that, and we look forward to doing it with the veterans of color as well." If the state is going to establish a third home, Rep. Kip Diggs of Barnstable said it should be on or near Cape Cod. "We have 19,000 veterans on the Cape ... and what's important to me is if that third spot, maybe we can get it closer to the Cape. Because, honestly, it's all about taking care of my area and making sure -- you know, our veterans have done so much and asked for so little," he said. "So I think it's something that's just so poignant and so necessary that we bring something down towards the southern part of Mass." The secretary responded briefly to point out the "significant cost" that would be associated with any potential third facility. Others, including Sen. John Velis of Westfield, have previously mentioned that conversations about additional veterans facilities were taking place. Lawmakers dug into a variety of topics with Santiago during their time for questions. Sen. Kelly Dooner of Taunton put a pitch in for finding a way to partner with a nonprofit to repurpose parts of Taunton State Hospital for veteran housing, Sen. Michael Brady of Brockton wanted to know about the impact so far and outlook for additional federal cuts at the VA, Rep. Judith Garcia asked about veteran needs that are not met through the state budget appropriation, and Sen. Ryan Fattman pressed officials on the need for better tracking of suicides among veterans here and especially among Mass. National Guard members. Santiago said Healey's budget proposes $206 million for his secretariat, $7.6 million more than the current state budget. He said the budget proposal includes an increase of $13.6 million to veterans benefits and annuities, as well as $80 million to support the state-run veterans homes in Chelsea and Holyoke. "This overall allotment helps us maintain critical staffing, supports infrastructure improvements, allows us to operate and maintain our two veteran cemeteries in Winchendon and Agawam, and provides health care and supportive services to veterans at the long-term care and independent living facilities in Chelsea and Holyoke," Santiago said. "We are particularly proud of the transformation happening at both veteran homes over the past two years. They both continue to show progress when it comes to modernization and quality of care, ensuring that Massachusetts veterans receive the highest standard of care." Chelsea Veterans Home Superintendent Christine Baldini told lawmakers that the implementation of electronic medical records was a "significant milestone" for her facility. "This is transforming our health care operation. By replacing traditional paper records with a secure, integrated, digital platform, we have enhanced accuracy, reduced administrative burden and improved overall efficiency. Real-time access to resident information empowers the care team to make informed decisions more quickly, and fosters streamlined communication across all disciplines," she said. Holyoke Superintendent Michael Lazo said his team is preparing to expand into the new 234-bed facility the state broke ground on in August 2023. He told the Ways and Means Committee that the larger and modern facility "will require approximately 40% increase in workforce spending, both clinical and non-clinical roles." ...read more read less